Perio residents sweep 2021 Prichard Research Competition

Ryushiro Sugita, DDS, and Michael P. Vieth, DDS, both third year residents of the Graduate Program in Periodontics have been announced as winners of their respective categories at the Southwest Society of Periodontists’ (SWSP) 2021 John F. Prichard Graduate Research Competition. Dr. Sugita won in the Basic Sciences Research Category for his presentation titled “Evaluation of a Novel Bone Adhesive for Stabilization of Implants in Canine Oversized Osteotomies”. Taking the win for the Clinical Sciences Research Category was Dr. Vieth for his presentation titled “The effect of intravenous dexamethasone on post-operative pain following periodontal flap surgery: a randomized controlled investigation of short-term patient response”. Brian L. Mealey, DDS, MS, professor and director of the Graduate Program in Periodontics, couldn’t be prouder. “I think this is the first time our residency has had the first-place winner in both categories,” he says. “This is impressive!” Four of the six Prichard competitors were residents of the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, all having worked on their respective research for the past three years. This year’s UT Health San Antonio competitors were mentored by Dr. Mealey, Yong-Hee Chun, DDS, PhD, associate professor, David Deas, DMD, MS, clinical associate professor, and David L. Cochran, DDS, PhD, professor and chair, all in the Department of Periodontics. The Prichard Award was established to maintain and encourage graduate student participation in scientific presentations, fulfilling the mission and goals of the SWSP and to honor Dr. John F. Prichard, president of the SWSP in 1964 and in 1965.